E ON PARAD r l Review fo Our Annua 2009

uncil ict Scout Co r and Distr Cheste o 511406 Charity N Registered

AWARDS 2009 Leader, 1st Saltney (St Mark’s), Training Adviser Congratulations to all those members of the District who received well-deserved awards Award for Merit during 2009: Richard Johnson, Assistant District Silver Wolf Commissioner (Beaver Scouts), Training Adviser and Beaver Scout Leader 42nd David King, Secretary, District Scout Chester Fellowship Chief Scout's Commendation for Good Hilary Roberts, County Chaplaincy Team and Service Member, District Scout Fellowship Christine Birchall, Treasurer, District Scout in recognition of service of the most Fellowship outstanding character Jayne Challinor, Assistant Group Scout Silver Acorn Leader, 8th Chester

Terry Coe, Scout Leader, 18th Chester (St Julie Gray, Assistant Scout Leader, 1st Mary's) Upton-by-Chester

Dave Evans, District Cub Scout Leader Mark Gray, Scout Leader, 1st Upton-by- Chester June Hughes, District Vice President and District Cub Scout Leader Yvonne Harding, Group Scout Leader, 1st Lorna McIntyre, latterly Group Scout Leader, Cestrian Charly Hillier, Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts) and Scout Leader, in recognition of specially distinguished 40th Chester service Helen Shone, Cub Scout Leader, 42nd Chester

Joanne Turner, District Chair

Karan Warburton, District Appointments Secretary

Rose Weaver, Beaver Scout Leader, 1st

Bar to the Award for Merit Chief Scout ’s Service Awards

Wayne Challinor, Group Scout Leader, 8th 50 years Chester David Lloyd, Treasurer, 1st Upton Iain McIntyre, Assistant District Commissioner (Youth Programme and 30 years Events), District Nights Away Adviser, Training Adviser Maureen Ivens, Appointments Advisory Committee Alan Wilding, Assistant District Commissioner (Cub Scouts), Group Scout

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20 years Wood Badge

Yvonne Harding, 1st Christleton Simon Ashton, Explorer Scout Leader, Renegades Explorer Scouts 25 years Malcolm Koutson, Cub Scout Leader, 1st Joanne Turner, District Chair Waverton

Alan Wilding, ADC (Cub Scouts) and 1st Volunteer Centre – Volunteer Awards Saltney (St Mark’s) Members of the District received 20 years recognition at 2009 event organised by the David Mullock, Dewa Explorer Scouts Chester Volunteer Centre. These awards are made on the nomination of Group Scout Gill Owen, Cestrian Leaders:

Alan Reay, DESC and 1st Ashton and Manley Jayne Challinor Jenny Challinor 15 years Suzanne Donovan Roger Hewitt Charly Hillier, ADC (Scouts) and 40th Chester Joan Hunt John Riley Andrew Jones, District Nights Away Adviser Jordan Smith and Dewa Explorer Scouts Dawn Steaton Victoria Taker Brent Wilson, 1st Sandstone

10 years GONE HOME

Jonathan Brown, 1st

Jayne Challinor, 8th Chester

Richard De Beger, 1st Saltney (St Mark’s)

Helen Shone, 42nd Chester

John Lambert, 40th Chester

Julie Gray, 1st Upton by Chester We remember members of the District who died during 2009: Annie Sinclair, 40th Chester David Capstick Paul Wright, Cestrian David was well known as a leader at the 1st 5 years Upton-by-Chester and his family have long been supporters of the Group. Sandra Clarke, 42nd Chester Peter Whitby David Goodier, 1st Peter was a long term leader at the 18th Trish Poole, 5th Blacon (Holy Trinity) Chester and was appointed an Honorary Scouter just before his death. Tom Woodworth, 1st Malpas

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FROM THE DISTRICT CHAIR AND THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

CHESTER SCOUTING CONTINUES TO GROW!

At the beginning of 2009, our membership stood at 1,294, against 1,173 in 2008. This total was made up 1,007 young people and 172 adults in Groups and 115 (including Explorer Scouts) under the District return. Thirteen of our 19 Groups increased their numbers. Numbers on their own don't make the full story but it's satisfying that our growth continues. Well done all!

There have been many successes and we have tried to capture these in our monthly newsletter and on our web site, which had just been re-launched at the beginning of 2009.

Our District Directory is now available as a download from the web site and an updated version will be published after the 2010 Annual General Meeting, with regular updates after that, as we have done throughout 2009.

Adult training and recruitment are a key priority and training modules are delivered regularly in Chester where the District is pleased to make our Scout Centre available to leaders from all over and North so that they can take part in the training they need. In 2009, we had 151 attendances at 42 Modules.

Our Sectional teams work hard to help our Groups and Units - this Review gives more details.

The District Executive Committee and its sub-Committees have continued to provide much needed financial and management support to the District. This support is vital and we need to ensure that all the vacancies we have for key positions are filled. This year we re-introduced the Sponsored Walk and hope that Groups found this a valuable part of their fundraising. Our Scout Shop continues to provide essential income for the District as well as a high-quality service to Groups and Members.

The District Action Plan is regularly reviewed and updated and is the framework for the support provided by the District Team and the District Executive. The annual District Team Conference in May helped us to think through the implications of the plan and the best ways to implement it.

The great progress in the District is the result of the commitment of so many people that it is impossible to make a list of them all. All we can do is to say thank you to all those who have made Chester and District the active and growing community that it is. 2010 is our centenary year, with all the chances to celebrate and to use the opportunities to make even more progress. The future is bright!

Jo Turner David Bull District Chair District Commissioner

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BEAVER SCOUTS

My! This time of year again, Annual General Meeting season; how time flies when you are having fun and making friends.

In Chester and District we have nineteen active Beaver Colonies who work very hard each week delivering a balanced programme for over 300 young Scouts enjoying the experience of Scouting, this is an increase upon last year and includes a new Colony at the 42nd Chester group in . As I bring this report to a close, I’m thinking of the committed leaders we have in the District and my thanks to them for their commitment each week to the children. We are growing in Beavers in the District and before I hang up my Assistant District Commissioner ‘hat’ I would like to see more Beaver Colonies opening across the District, but as you know Beaver Scout Leaders don’t grow on trees!

Please accept my sincere thanks to all leaders, helpers and parents for volunteering each week with leadership and for supporting all our young people. In 2009, 30 Beaver Scouts were awarded their Bronze Chief Scout’s Award. Beaver Scouting in Chester and District is Congratulations to them all! alive and kicking, and with your help it will continue for many a year to come. In April I heard that I was to be awarded the Award of Merit, which was presented to me God Bless you all. at the District Annual General Meeting last June. Thank you to all who has helped me Richard Johnson along the way, I shall wear the award with Assistant District Commissioner (Beaver Scouts) pride.

CUB SCOUTS Beavers from most of our Groups marched with pride at our St George’s Day parade. Swimming Galas The District Swimming Gala was held in In July Beavers from around the District st th October and was won by 1 Farndon; 18 enjoyed a Beaver Fun Day at Forest Camp, Chester came a close second. The winners of where they had fun with Beavers from all each event then formed a team to enter the over Cheshire. In December Beavers from County Swimming Gala. This team consisted the District enjoyed their Christmas Carol of Cubs from 1 st Farndon, 1 st Malpas, 18 th service at Blacon Holy Trinity Church. st st Chester, 1 Tarporley and 1 Guilden Sutton. I am pleased to report that this team won the County Gala in November.

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SCOUTS

Cheshire Hike

Congratulations to all who took part in the 2009 Cheshire Hike: much nicer weather than 2008! 1st Ashton and Manley, 1st Farndon, 1st Tarporley, 1st Upton, 18th Chester, 48th Chester, Farndon Explorers, Renegades Explorers, Dewa Explorers and Wolf Explorers all participated – well done to all.

The District trophies were earned by: Totem Pole Competition 1st Waverton kindly hosted the Totem Pole Junior James Realff and Charlie Knock, 1st Farndon competition in November which was a Intermediate Scouting skills competition, including the Alex Bain and Ryan Thomas, 1st Upton Waverton ‘Egg drop’. The competition was Senior won by 18 th Chester (Maclaren). Luke Thornton and Peter Young, Dewa and Renegades Explorers Carols and Activities @ Forest Senior Plus For the Carol service this year we tried Ian Halton and Matthew Smith, Farndon something different by holding it at Explorers . We spent the afternoon doing various activities as part of the Promise Congratulations to them and all the twenty Challenge then we finished the afternoon five teams who took part from our District! by singing Carols around the camp fire. Chief ScoutScout’’’’ss Gold AwardAwardssss

We were well represented at the County presentation of certificates. Congratulations once again to all those who received their awards.

Picture: Chester Cubs on the Founder’s Day trip to London

In every Pack each week, there is a great deal of activity and I would like to say thank you to all the leaders and helpers who put in so much effort. Thanks also to our three World Scout Jamboree Selection District Cub Scout Leaders, June Hughes, Chris Owens and Dave Evans. 17 young people from Chester and District attended a selection day at Forest Camp, Alan Wilding Sandiway. The day was set up to allow all Assistant District Commissioner (Cub Scouts) the young people to work together on a range of different tasks put together to test

Page | 555 their differing abilities and Scouting knowledge. They also had to attend a short interview. We are pleased to have filled all our allotted places and have since been awarded another place, and are sending 8 young people to Sweden. The successful Scouts are: Michael Oddie (Renegades Explorers), Luke Thornton, Alex Thornton and Richard Ludden (Dewa Explorers), Christopher Harrington (40th Chester), Craig Roberts and Matthew Craig (42nd Chester) and Arun Paul (1st Christleton). Twenty two Explorer Scouts from three Charly Hillier Districts took part in Chester's Young Leader Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts) Training Course at the Clogwyn Activity Centre at Bangor in North Wales and EXPLORER SCOUTS another eighteen from Chester and District

took part in a second course, with Luke Members of the six Explorer Scout Units Thornton (Dewa Explorers) receiving his located widely round the Chester District Young Leader belt. have enjoyed access to a wide range of activities.

The young people, assisted by the Explorer Scout leadership teams continued to work towards both Scouting and Duke of Edinburgh’s awards.

In April members took part in the annual St George’s Day bell boat race and barbecue.

The weekends were spent working in groups with many interruptions for games. By the end of the courses all had planned a twelve week programme for their Sections, along with risk assessments and ideas for badge work - all with the key goal of a balanced programme.

Camping and outdoor activities are a Alan Reay, District Explorer Scout Commissioner to 2010 feature of the Explorer Scout Section all Simon Ashton, District Explorer Scout year around, including paddles sports and Commissioner from 2010 winter camps and this year was no exception.

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CHESTER AND DISTRICT SCOUT We held our Annual General Meeting at the FELLOWSHIP District Scout Centre followed by a fish and chip supper. David King, Christine Birchall This has been another enjoyable and and I were re-elected as Secretary, Treasurer successful year for the Fellowship. We have and Chairman. had a varied programme of meetings during the year including presentations on “The I am pleased to report that Fellowship is still role of a PCSO” by Karen Denis, "Chester very active and providing help to the District Silverware" by Dr Campbell of Tarporley as well as having a varied social programme. Cottage Hospital and a practical talk on "Self Defence" by Amanda Wilson. I would like to thank all of our members, particularly our Secretary and Treasurer, We also enjoyed several social events with a David King and Christine Birchall for all cheese and wine evening to start the year, a their help and support over the year. Mystery coach trip arranged by Christine Birchall, a barbecue at the District Centre, We are also looking forward to the two quizzes, a canal trip arranged by Rex & forthcoming change to a Scout Active Jean Wilson, a Sunday walk around Support Unit. Brimstage and Thornton Hough followed by lunch and finally our annual Christmas John RRileyileyileyiley dinner. ChairmanChairman,, Chester and District Scout Fellowship Members of the Fellowship were also kept busy helping Scouting in Chester and ANNUAL AWARDS DAY District, both at Group and District levels. We provided help at St George's Day Parade We chose Upton High School as the venue with marshalling, flag marshalling, setting for the 2009 Awards Presentation and were up the cathedral with service sheets and honoured by the presence of the Sheriff of arranging the collection, the Sponsored Chester, Councillor David Hull. Walk with administration and marshalling and the Scout and Guide Orchestra Representatives of most Groups in the performance at Chester Cathedral. Many District were at the School on 15 March to members were again involved with the receive certificates of recognition of their Gang Show at the Kings School: Gang achieving the Chief Scout's Award at members, backstage, front of house and catering for the Gang on Saturday Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. afternoon and also with the Gang Show There were a total of 69 certificates camp. We provided refreshments for several awarded. District events including Awards Day, the Annual General Meeting and two weekend Young Leader training courses. Members also represented the District with David Bull at Remembrance Day and County Scout Sunday.

Alice Wood (5th Blacon) received the Stan Hinson trophy and Hilary Clarke (also 5th Blacon) the Chief Scout's Commendation for Good Service.

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Warmest congratulations to them all! Corps and the staff of St John’s for all their support. ST GEORGE ’S DAY Iain McIntyre Our annual parade and service to celebrate Assistant District Commissioner (Youth our Patron Saint takes place on the nearest Programme and Events) Sunday to 23 April each year. This event rd gives us all the opportunity to let the GANG SHOW 53 PRODUCTION general public know that we are Scouts. It also gives every one of us the opportunity to reflect on what Scouting is all about, and what our Promise means. This is the event where we all stand up and renew that Promise, and pledge again “to do our best”.

Our show returned to the King’s School with me as Producer for the second year. Once again, performances took place during the February half-term. We had the benefit of the experience of the 2008 show at the School but nonetheless there was still the need to provide things like sound and lighting systems, extra curtain tracks, dressing rooms, intercom and an orchestra pit, all from scratch.

But when the first night arrived, the production, scenery, and wardrobe and Because of other services at the Cathedral, makeup teams together with all our other we were unable to be there in 2009 but supporters had done their work and the were guests at St John’s Church, the parish Business sub-Committee had raised money and sold the tickets. Curtain up! church of Chester. Fr David Chesters and all at St John's made us very welcome and This time we had Beaver Scouts as well as there was a great turnout from the District – older members of the District in the eighty- the church was full. four strong Gang and everyone had a fantastic time, with good and very After the service, many Groups laid on lunch appreciative audiences for all six at Macdonald's, picnicking on the Groves performances. On to the Centenary show! and bell boating - a great way to enjoy the Keith Harding good weather! Keith Harding Producer, Chester Gang Show

We always use the Castle Square to start and finish our parade, and the County Council allow us to use it free of charge. We also receive support from the Police, who have to close roads to allow us to march through our City.

I would like to place on record our thanks to Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Police, the City of Chester Band and Phoenix Drum and Trumpet

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LINKS WITH POLISH SCOUTING AND scheme; our thanks to Cheshire Probation GUIDING Service for managing this service.

Seven members of the District Team from Our building at Trafford Street was Garwolin in Poland were in Chester during surveyed and treated when asbestos was October. Led by their Commissioner, revealed to have been used in construction. Zbyszek Winiarek, the group stayed with members of the Chester team and were The treatment has now eliminated the risk made welcome to Chester. There were and the building is being improved for its discussions on future joint activities – and new use as storage for the District activity we hope that we shall develop permanent equipment and Gang Show costumes and links with them. properties.

Buildings at Filkins Lane and are managed pending disposal. The building at is held pending re- opening of the Group there.

PROPERTIES

The District Centre at Weston Grove was painted externally and internally during the summer as part of the Community Payback

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SCOUTING IN CHESTER AND Tilston: 1st Tilston DISTRICT Upton: We serve the community in many locations 1st Upton-by-Chester in Chester and its surroundings and are District Scout Centre and Scout Shop currently planning to re-establish a Group Hollyoaks Scout Network in Tarvin to serve the eastern, rural part of Wolf Explorer Scouts the District as well as extending our and Mickle Trafford: presence in other areas where demand is Cestrian high. Dewa Explorer Scouts

Ashton Hayes: Waverton: 1st Ashton and Manley 1st Waverton

Bickerton (also serving ): Westminster Park and Handbridge: 1st Sandstone 18th Chester (St Mary's) Renegades Explorer Scouts Blacon: 5th Blacon (Holy Trinity)

Christleton: 1st Christleton At the close of 2009, we were Farndon: 1st Farndon looking forward to the celebrations Farndon Explorer Scouts of the centenary of the Chester Local

Guilden Sutton: Association of Boy Scouts (now 1st Guilden Sutton Chester and District Scout Council). Our next Annual Review will be Hoole: 42nd Chester filled with accounts of the special events and the resulting progress in Huntington: the District. We hope you will enjoy 40th Chester our centenary year! Malpas: 1st Malpas Garrison Explorer Scouts

Newton: 48th Chester (St Columba's)

Saltney: 1st Saltney (St Mark's)

Saughall: 1st

Sealand Road/Canalside: 8th Chester

Tarporley: 1st Tarporley Maverick Explorer Scouts

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